On December 6, 2018, an Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Trooper from the Roseburg Area Command responded to the report of a poaching and trespassing incident that occurred on December 5, 2018, in the Drain area. 

Investigation revaled that a large black tail buck deer was shot within feet of a residence in Drain.  The event was captured on the home security system.    With assistance from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, subjects of interest was identified. 

On December 14, 2018, Troopers and Sheriff’s Deputies contacted the subjects of interest at their residence. The antlers and head for a 4X3 black tail deer were recovered  The meat that was recovered from a butcher shop will be donated to a charity. 

Trent M. Tinnes (25) of Drain was lodged at the Douglas County Jail for:

• Unlawful Take of Buck Deer: Prohibited Method ( rifle during archery season)
• Unlawful Take of Buck Deer: Prohibited Weapon ( .17 Caliber Rifle)
• Unlawful Take of Buck Deer: Prohibited Hours
• Hunting While in Violation of Criminal Trespass
• Criminal Trespass with a Firearm
• Recklessly Endangering Another Person x 2

Travis D. Tinnes (21) of Drain was criminally cited and released for:

• Aiding/ Counseling in a Wildlife Offense
• Driving While Suspended Misdemeanor

Report Wildlife and Habitat Law Violators 

The TIP program offers preference point rewards for information leading to an arrest or issuance of a citation for the unlawful take/possession or waste of big game mammals.

Preference Point Rewards:

5 Points-Bighorn Sheep

5 Points-Rocky Mountain Goat

5 Points-Moose

5 Points-Wolf

4 Points-Elk

4 Points-Deer

4 Points-Antelope

4 Points-Bear

4 Points-Cougar

Or the TIP program also offers cash rewards for information leading to an arrest or issuance of a citation for the unlawful take/possession or waste of Bighorn Sheep, Rocky Mountain Goat, Moose, Elk, Deer, Antelope, Bear, Cougar, Wolf, Upland Birds, Waterfowl, and Furbearers. Cash rewards can also be awarded for the unlawful take of Game Fish and Shellfish and for Habitat Destruction.

CASH REWARDS:
$1,000 Bighorn Sheep, Rocky Mountain Goat and Moose 
$500 Elk, Deer and Antelope 
$300 Bear, Cougar and Wolf 
$300 Habitat Destruction 
$100 Upland Birds and Waterfowl 
$100 Furbearers 

$100 Game Fish and Shellfish 

How to Report a Wildlife and/or Habitat Law Violation or Suspicious Activity: 

TIP Hotline: 1-800-452-7888 or OSP(677)

TIP E-Mail: TIP@state.or.us (Monitored M-F 8:00AM - 5:00PM)

State of Oregon – State of Washington – Nez Perce Tribe

Bonneville Power Administration – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Bureau of Reclamation

Federal, State and Tribal partners have come together to develop an agreement on a key component of operating federal dams in the Columbia River Basin. Parties to the agreement have aligned on a flexible spring spill operation premised on achieving improved salmon survival while also managing costs in hydropower generation. Key supporters of the agreement are jointly issuing this statement:

“Collaboration is key to this new approach to Columbia River system management. Working together, the region’s states, tribes, and federal agencies have developed an approach that demonstrates environmental stewardship and affordable sustainable energy are not mutually exclusive.”

The agreement Parties are the states of Oregon and Washington, the Nez Perce Tribe, the Bonneville Power Administration, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Reclamation. In addition, the states of Idaho and Montana reviewed the agreement and are supportive of the flexible operation.

The agreement covers up to three years of fish passage spill operations at eight lower Columbia and Snake River dams.  During this time, the agreement avoids litigation while the co-lead agencies complete the Columbia River System Operations Environmental Impact Statement Records of Decision.

The agreement calls for flexible spill operations that meet three objectives: provide additional fish benefits by increasing spill; manage power system costs and preserve hydro system flexibility; and retain operational feasibility. Specifically, these operations involve increased spill during certain times of the day for fish migration and lesser amounts for the hours when hydropower production is needed most.

The parties have agreed to engage in a transparent and collaborative manner to implement this agreement. This agreement is an important step forward for the parties and the region. Rather than focusing on our differences, we are working together on our shared objectives of improving salmon passage and providing affordable hydropower for the region’s electricity consumers.

To contact parties/supporters for their own perspective please see below:

On Thursday, November 22, 2018 (Thanksgiving Day) at 9:23 P.M, South Lane Fire Department, Goshen-Pleasant Hill Fire Department, Dexter Fire Department, and Eugene-Springfield Fire Department responded to the Super 8 Motel located at 345 Oregon Avenue, in Creswell for a fire. 

Upon arrival the fire was discovered and extinguished. 

On Saturday, November 24, 2018, at 1:42 AM a fire was reported at the same location. The fire departments again responded and extinguished the fire. 

Due to the suspicious nature of the fires, the Oregon State Police Arson Unit was requested to assist in the investigation.  Arson  Detectives responded and led a joint origin and cause Investigation with the South Lane Fire Department and Lane County Sheriff’s Office. 

The fire was determined to be incendiary and intentionally set.  Following an investigation, detectives learned the owners of the Super 8 Motel franchise, Inder Singh and Satinder Singh, intentionally planned and caused the fire. 

On Thanksgiving there were 6 rooms rented and a minimum of 7 people in the motel at the time of the fire. 

On Sunday, December 16, 2018, Inder and Satinder Singh were arrested and lodged at the Lane County Jail on arson charges. 

The investigation is still on going.      

The operator has been identified as Vallerie Miller (66) from California

On Thursday, December 13, 2018, at approximately 5:00PM, a Jeep SUV was traveling eastbound on Highway 140 near milepost 30 in Jackson County when the vehicle left the roadway, traveled down an embankment, and collided with a tree.

The female driver, and sole occupant of the vehicle, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Winter weather conditions in the area contributed to the collision.  

Oregon State Police was assisted by ODOT, Lake Creek Rural Fire, and the Jackson County Sheriff's Office.

On Saturday, December 15, 2018 at approximately 10:07 PM, Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to a report of a motor vehicle crash on Hwy 99W near milepost 114.

Preliminary investigation revealed that a 2000 Honda Accord operated by, Saucedo Salvador-Mendez (21) of Cheshire was traveling southbound at a high rate of speed and collided with the back of a southbound 2011 Ford F350 PU operated by, Peter Haag (20) of Junction City.  

The front seat passenger in the Honda Accord, Francisco Jose Perez-Velasco (33) of Corvallis, was not wearing a seat belt and sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The rear passenger in the Honda Accord, Chase Pomaikai Kealoha (21) of Junction City, was wearing a seat belt and sustained minor injuries - not transported to the hospital.

Salvador-Mendez was transported to Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend and treated for injuries. 

Haag sustained minor injuries and was not transported to the hospital.

Alcohol impairment and speed by Salvador-Mendez are being investigated as probable factors.

Hwy 99W southbound lanes were closed for approximately four hours.  ODOT created a detour in center turn lane to accommodate southbound traffic.  

OSP was assisted by Junction City Police, Lane County Fire Department, and ODOT.

December 14, 2018 

On Friday, December 14, 2018 Interstate 84, from milepost 304 in Baker County to milepost 216 in Umatilla County, was closed for for several hours due to high winds. 

Pendleton Area Command Troopers responded to the scene of this commercial motor vehicle rollover crash on Interstate 84 westbound near milepost 223.

Strong winds blew the tractor/trailer over.

No injuries reported.

On Thursday, December 13, 2018 at approximately 5:48 PM Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to the report of a two vehicle, head on collision, on Hwy 20 near milepost 4.

Preliminary investigation revealed a  Chevrolet Cobalt, operated by Jane Dunn (64) of Albany, was westbound on Hwy 20 when it crossed the center line and struck an eastbound Chevrolet Tahoe, operated by Kelly Blodgett (40) of Corvallis.  

Dunn was pronounced deceased at the hospital. 

Blodgett was transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.  An adult passenger and 4 juvenile children in the Tahoe were not injured.

Hwy 20 was partially closed for approximately three hours. 

OSP was assisted by the Albany Fire Department and ODOT.   

On Thursday, December 13, 2018 at approximately 6:15 A.M. Richard Drew Wilson (26) of Eagle Point attempted to cross the northbound lanes of I-5 near the Exit 33 interchange in Central Point.  Visibility in the area was limited by darkness and dense fog. 

Wilson was struck by a northbound Nissan Xterra driven by Jeri Renee Wiggins (52) of Medford. 

Wilson was pronounced deceased at the scene. 

Oregon State Police was assisted by ODOT, Jackson County Fire District 3, and the Jackson County Sheriff's Office. 

I-5 northbound was reduced to a single lane of travel for approximately three hours.

In 2015,  Kevin Howard Noel reported taking an 8-pt mule deer buck in the Steens Mountain Unit during archery season with a valid archery deer tag.  He subsequently presented the buck at a Northwest sportsman show for measurement, resulting in placing 1st that year for Non-Typical Archery Mule Deer, and 8th all-time in the state of Oregon.

In May 2018, while Noel was being investigated for other crimes, the Oregon State Police received credible information that Noel had actually killed the record buck with a rifle, instead of a bow, as required by his tag.  Fish & Wildlife troopers with the Springfield Command of the Oregon State Police initiated an investigation, resulting in seizure of the mount and arrest of Noel in Lane County for Unlawful Possession of Mule Deer Buck Parts.

On November 28, 2018 a Lane County jury found Noel guilty of that offense.  On December 5, 2018, Lane County Circuit Court Judge Debra Velure sentenced Noel to three years bench probation, 15 days jail, a 3-year suspension of his hunting privileges in the state, forfeiture of the trophy mount to the Oregon State Police, a $6250.00 fine, and a condition that he not participate in any hunting excursions for the next three years.   

Report Wildlife and Habitat Law Violators 

The TIP program offers preference point rewards for information leading to an arrest or issuance of a citation for the unlawful take/possession or waste of big game mammals.

Preference Point Rewards:

5 Points-Bighorn Sheep

5 Points-Rocky Mountain Goat

5 Points-Moose

5 Points-Wolf

4 Points-Elk

4 Points-Deer

4 Points-Antelope

4 Points-Bear

4 Points-Cougar

Or the Oregon Hunters Association TIP reward fund also offers cash rewards for information leading to an arrest or issuance of a citation for the unlawful take/possession or waste of Bighorn Sheep, Rocky Mountain Goat, Moose, Elk, Deer, Antelope, Bear, Cougar, Wolf, Upland Birds, Waterfowl, and Furbearers. Cash rewards can also be awarded for the unlawful take of Game Fish and Shellfish and for Habitat Destruction.

CASH REWARDS:
$1,000 Bighorn Sheep, Rocky Mountain Goat and Moose 
$500 Elk, Deer and Antelope 
$300 Bear, Cougar and Wolf 
$300 Habitat Destruction 
$100 Upland Birds and Waterfowl 
$100 Furbearers 

$100 Game Fish and Shellfish 

How to Report a Wildlife and/or Habitat Law Violation or Suspicious Activity: 

TIP Hotline: 1-800-452-7888 or OSP(677)

TIP E-Mail: TIP@state.or.us (Monitored M-F 8:00AM - 5:00PM)